HOUSTON - Harris County District Attorney Patricia Lykos is using money collected from criminals to fund programs used to catch them. Thursday, Lykos presented Crime Stoppers of Houston with a $200,000 donation from the District Attorney's Office. The check consists of funds seized from criminal activity, including drug possession and narcotics sales.

The donation will be used to pay cash rewards to Crime Stoppers anonymous tipsters. Crime Stoppers pays up to $5000 for information that leads to an arrest or the filing of felony charges. In 2010, the cash rewards program resulted in the arrest of 825 felons and the payment of $747,500 in cash rewards.

"What better poetic justice could there be-using money collected from criminal activity to locate and arrest the crooks," said District Attorney Lykos. "We work hand-in-hand with Crime Stoppers to get the worst of the criminals off our streets and into the courts to answer for their crimes."

"Crime Stoppers is honored to partner with District Attorney Lykos. There is no more appropriate use of funds seized from criminals than to take other felons off the streets," said Crime Stoppers Executive Director Katherine Cabaniss. "At no cost to taxpayers, the community will be safer as a result."

Crime Stoppers of Houston's mission is to solve and prevent serious crime in the Greater Houston area in partnership with citizens, media and the criminal justice system. Crime Stoppers of Houston operates 713-222-TIPS, a telephone tip line. Information about criminal activity is received and transferred to law enforcement for immediate action. Callers are promised anonymity and cash rewards of up to $5,000 in exchange for their accurate crime tips.